Today Magnum Photos posted the following message on their Twitter feed: "From now till 200k followers we want to see your photos. Tweet us a link, each day we'll RT a few selections. Use hashtag #magnum200k".
In the 60+ years since it's inception, Magnum Photos has grown into one of the most renowned cooperatives of photojournalists in the world. According to founding member Henri Cartier-Bresson, "Magnum is a community of thought, a shared human quality, a curiosity about what is going on in the world, a respect for what is going on and a desire to transcribe it visually."
Magnum's tweet got me thinking: if I had the opportunity to share only a single photograph from the past year with anyone -- particularly a community of Magnum's reknown -- which photograph would I choose?
I scoured my archives of photographs I made in 2010 and shortlisted a handful of images that I felt might resonate with Magnum and their audience. Then I carefully considered each photograph based on it's originality, relevance and technical merit.
This is my selection.
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I made this photograph in Dili, Timor-Leste in June of this year. During Timor's dry season, the riverbed on the outskirts of Dili is quarried for stone and gravel to be used in the many construction projects in and around the capital city.
It is quite a sight to behold: dozens upon dozens of men shoveling and sifting and throwing dirt and rock from sunrise to sunset.
From where I took this picture, high on the bridge above the riverbed, the scene unfolding below reminded me of armies of ants tirelessly toiling away on their ant hills.
Truth be told, going through the photographs I created over the past 12 months was a great exercise for me today (irrespective of the Magnum challenge). Being critical of one's own imagery is among the most difficult aspects of being a photographer, and forcing yourself to look closely at your own body of work is an excellent way to improve your craft.
What is your best photograph of 2010?
**UPDATE** Excitingly, yesterday Magnum Photos retweeted this post as part of their #magnum200k Twitter initiative. If you are here via @magnumphotos, thank you very much for visiting.
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